[0001] The present invention relates to a device for a tomographic imager such as an X-Ray
imaging system, in the field of cone-beam reconstruction techniques (CBCT).
[0002] In preparation for surgery such as, for instance, spinal surgery, a patient is placed
horizontally on a table on its stomach. A registration phantom is placed on his or
her spine, and secured to it, near a volume of interest of the patient to be imaged.
[0003] According to the present invention, "near" shall be understood as "at a distance
inferior than a predetermined value". The registration phantom is placed on the back
of the patient, directly touching the skin or a piece of fabric, which in turn touches
the skin of the patient, or secured to a supporting structure which is secured to
the bone or the bones, for example a 'on-stilt' structure comprising pins implanted
into the bone or the bones.
[0004] According to the present invention, a volume of interest comprises at least part
of at least a bone to be imaged, and some body tissues around the bone.
[0005] For instance, the volume of interest is a part of the patient's spine where the surgery
must be realized. The volume of interest is not limited to the spine and relates to
any bone, for instance to a knee, the pelvis, a shoulder, etc. of a patient.
[0006] The registration phantom, known in itself, is a device which comprises a plurality
of radiopaque markers, or fiducials, in this case a set of at least 3 radiopaque markers,
which are arranged in a predefined, known, three-dimensional configuration.
[0007] These radiopaque markers can be of any known shape, e.g. spheres, cylinders and so
on. Because the three-dimensional configuration of the radiopaque markers is known,
they act as landmark on the image detector when illuminated by the X-ray source. For
the sake of conciseness, "image detector" is also called "detector" throughout the
description. Radiopaque markers of a given registration phantom can be of different
shapes.
[0008] For each angular position of the c-shaped piece it is then possible to determine
the position of the spine within the volume of interest with regard to the registration
phantom.
[0009] It is possible to compute a 3D image of the volume of interest from the image of
the projection of the radiopaque markers on the detector, with reference to the tomographic
imager.
[0010] Accordingly, even if the patient moves or twists, the surgeon can precisely locate
the position of his or her surgical tools with regard to the part of the patient's
spine where the surgery must be realized.
[0011] When using CBCT X-Ray imaging system, the volume of interest is centered on a piece
of bone to be imaged, where the surgery shall be realized. But body tissues around
the bone absorb X-Ray photons energy.
[0012] Accordingly, for a given amount of X-Ray energy and a given position of the C-shaped
arm, the image on the detector, and especially the image of the registration phantom,
differs according to the amount (the thickness) of body tissues within the volume
of interest.
[0013] The amount of X-Ray energy is generally constant for a given volume of interest,
that is for a plurality of positions of the C-shaped arm. Accordingly, for some positions
of the C-shaped arm, the amount of X-Ray energy may be enough to obtain a usable image
on the detector, but for other positions of the C-shaped arm, the amount of X-Ray
energy may be too low to obtain a usable image on the detector, or too high.
[0014] As a consequence, the problem is that, especially when the volume of interest comprises
an inhomogeneous distribution of the body tissues around the bone, part of the image
obtained on the detector may be unusable, as if burnt by the energy of the X-Ray energy
when the amount of X-Ray energy is too high, especially part of the image corresponding
to a null or very low amount of body tissues (typically, the part where the registration
phantom lies).
[0015] In this context, the present invention relates to a device (1000) for a cone-beam
reconstruction technique X-ray imaging system, said system comprising a cone emitting
X-ray source (410) and a plane detector (420), the X-ray source (410) and the plane
detector (420) being integral with one another and movable in rotation in a substantially
vertical imaging plane around an axis of rotation and passing through a volume of
interest (ROI) of a patient (200) to be imaged, the device (1000) comprising:
- a registration phantom (100) which comprises a set of at least 3 radiopaque markers
(101) arranged in a known three-dimensional configuration, and intended to be placed
at a predetermined distance from the volume of interest (ROI) to be imaged, and
- a set of at least one radiopaque screen (500), integral with the registration phantom
(100), and comprising a lower face (503), an internal face (505), oriented towards
the registration phantom (100) and an external face (506), opposed to the internal
face (505);
- the radiopaque device (1000) being configured so that, when it is placed on the patient
(200), at least part of the X-rays from the emitting cone which pass from the X-ray
source (410) to the plane detector (420) through the registration phantom (100) see
their intensity attenuated by passing through said assembly of at least one radiopaque
screen (500).
[0016] It can be provided a plurality of radiopaque screens (500), said radiopaque screens
(500) being able to be attached two by two in a removable manner.
[0017] It can be provided at least two radiopaque screens (500) attached to one another
in a removable manner, so that they meet at least one of the following characteristics:
the external face (506) of one radiopaque screen (500) is attached to the internal
face (505) of the other radiopaque screen (500);
- at least one radiopaque screen (500) further comprises an upper face (504), such
that the upper face (504) of said radiopaque screen (500) is attached to the lower
face (503) of the other radiopaque screen (500).
[0018] It can be provided that at least one radiopaque screen (500) of said assembly is
removably attached to said registration phantom (100).
[0019] It can be provided magnetic fixing means, configured to removably fix at least two
radiopaque screens (500) between them and / or to removably fix at least one radiopaque
screen (500) with said registration phantom (100).
[0020] It can be provided that the registration phantom fits into a rectangular parallelepiped,
and that the height of each radiopaque screen (500) is greater than or equal to the
height of the rectangular parallelepiped in which the registration phantom (100) is
inscribed.
[0021] It can be provided that at least one radiopaque screen (500) has in cross section,
in the imaging plane (YOZ), a vertical gradient of radiopaque material.
[0022] It can be provided that for at least one radiopaque screen (500), at least a part
of the internal face (505) is parallel to at least a part of the external face (506).
[0023] It can be provided that at least one radiopaque screen (500) has in cross section
in a plane parallel to the imaging plane, a horn shape whose tip folds over the phantom
of registration when these are assembled.
[0024] It can be provided that the registration phantom (100) extends along an elongation
plane, the assembly of at least one radiopaque screen (500) being perpendicular to
said elongation plane, at least at the junction between said radiopaque screen (500)
and the registration phantom (100).
[0025] It can be provided two sets of at least one radiopaque screen (500), said sets being
opposite and symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the imaging
plane passing through the registration phantom.
[0026] It can be provided a single radiopaque screen (500) which has the shape of a dome,
optionally with a hole in its top, above the registration phantom (100).
[0027] It can be provided that the set of at least one radiopaque screen (500) is configured
so that any X-ray coming from the source (410) of X-rays towards the plane detector
(420) passing through any of the radiopaque markers (101) of the registration phantom
(100) necessarily passes through at least one radiopaque screen (500), either when
the line passing through the X-ray source (410) and the detector (420) is horizontal
plus or minus 10 °, or when the thickness of the fat mass of the patient (200) crossed
by the X-rays is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0028] It can be provided that at least one radiopaque screen (500) is provided with at
least one visual indication corresponding to an optimum range of use of the X-ray
source (410), said X-ray source (410) comprising an anode and a cathode, the optimum
range of use comprising at least one of the values among:
- A maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray
source (410);
- A minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray
source (410);
- A maximum value (mA_max) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
(410);
- A minimum value (mA_min) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
(410);
- A value (kV_min * mA_min) corresponding to a minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source (410), multiplied by a minimum
value (mA_min) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source (410);
- A value (kV_max * mA_max) corresponding to a maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source (410), multiplied by a maximum
value (mA_max) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source (410).
[0029] It can be provided that the visual indication comprises at least one of the following
indications:
- alphanumeric marking;
- a color;
- predetermined graphics.
[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear in the detailed
description that is given as a mere illustrative and non-limitative example.
DRAWINGS
[0031]
- Figure 1 illustrates a patient lying on his/her stomach on an operating table and
equipped with a registration phantom, when viewed from above, according to the prior
art;
- Figure 2 illustrates, according to the prior art, a cross section in the imaging plane,
of the patient of Figure 1 in a tomographic imager, in which the axis of the X-ray
emission cone is vertical;
- Figure 3 illustrates, according to the prior art, Figure 2 in which the axis of the
X-ray emission cone is horizontal;
- Figure 4 illustrates Figure 3 in which the patient is equipped with the device according
to the invention;
- Figure 5A illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention, before
the assembly of two radiopaque screens with the registration phantom;
- Figure 5B illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention, after
the assembly of two radiopaque screens with the registration phantom;
- Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which
the radiopaque screens are assembled in pairs on either side of the registration phantom;
- Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which
the radiopaque screens have a gradient of radiopaque material, in this case along
a vertical Z axis;
- Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which
the radiopaque screens have a curved shape in cross section;
- Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which
the radiopaque screens have a horn shape in cross section;
- Figure 10illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which
the radiopaque screens have the shape of a dome, in this case with a hole at its top;
- Figure 11illustrates an embodiment of a vertical assembly of two radiopaque screens,
to increase the height of the resulting assembly; and
- Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment of a horizontal assembly of two radiopaque screens,
to increase the thickness of the resulting assembly"
[0032] Figure 1 illustrates in cross section a patient 200 lying on his stomach on a horizontal
table, in an XOY plane.
[0033] On the patient's back, which serves as a support, a registration phantom 100 has
been placed which includes a set of radiopaque markers 101. The registration phantom
100 can have different shapes, each of which fits into a rectangular parallelepiped.
[0034] The registration phantom 100 is placed on a substantially horizontal support, typically
on the patient 200back along the spine. It is placed near a volume of interest ROI
of the patient 200 to be imaged, usually directly in contact with the skin. For example,
the registration phantom 100 is glued with a biocompatible and radiolucent glue on
the patient's 200 skin.
[0035] A tomographic imager consists of an X-ray source 410 and a plane detector 420, which
are integral with each other, at the extremities of a C-shaped arm 400 which can rotate
around a horizontal axis of rotation.
[0036] The X-ray source 410 and a plane detector 420 are rotatable in an imaging plane that
is substantially vertical, i.e. the YOZ plane on the figures. The patient 200 is lying
in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. It can be provided that the axis
of rotation passes through the volume of interest ROI.
[0037] To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the X-ray source 410 and the plane
detector 420 are for example arranged at the ends of a semi-circular arm 400, the
arm 400 being movable in rotation about a horizontal axis passing through the center
of the circle.
[0038] The X-ray source 410 emits X-ray photons, for example in the shape of an emission
cone of which the source 410 is the apex, the base being the plane detector 420.
[0039] Once the patient 200 is ready for imaging, one can then perform a relative horizontal
movement of the tomographic imager and the table on which the patient 200 is placed
so that the volume of interest ROI of the patient 200 is included in the emission
cone of the X-ray source 410.
[0040] A set of images is then taken, each image corresponding to a respective angular position
of the arm 400. Typically, to obtain a 3D image, the X-ray source 410 and the detector
420 are rotated at least 90 ° in an imaging plane, which is here a vertical plane,
between a starting position and an ending position. For example, for a 90 ° rotation,
the starting position is vertical (figure 2), respectively horizontal, and the finishing
position is horizontal (figure 3), respectively vertical.
[0041] In the vertical position, see Figure 2, the X-rays emitted by the X-ray source 410
pass through part of the patient 200, cover the volume of interest ROI and pass through
the registration phantom 100 before reaching the detector 420.
[0042] For a given power, that is to say for a given value of the intensity through the
cathode of the X-ray source 410, the intensity of the X photons is thus attenuated
by at least one amongst the table, the patient 200body and the registration phantom
100, including radiopaque markers 101.
[0043] The radiopaque markers 101 are then visible on the image generated on the plane detector
420. The registration phantom 100 comprises at least 3, and in this case at least
4 non-plane radiopaque markers 101. In this case, the radiopaque markers 101 are spheres,
and the registration phantom 100 consists of 16 spheres, which are inserted, pre-molded
into the registration phantom 100.
[0044] In a horizontal position, see figure 3, the X-rays emitted by the X-ray source 410
only pass little or no through the table, pass little or no through the patient's
200 body, as illustrated by a dotted line on FIG. 3. As a result, the image obtained
on the detector 420 can be unusable, as if burnt by the energy of the X photons. The
position of the radiopaque markers 101 cannot be identified on the image obtained
on the detector 420.
[0045] A solution consisting in reducing the energy, the given value of the intensity through
the cathode of the X-ray source 410, is not satisfactory since that amount of energy,
i.e. kV the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source 410, must
be constant for all the images.
[0046] To address this problem, a set of at least one radiopaque screen 500 is provided,
configured to attenuate the intensity of the X-rays passing through it.
[0047] The radiopaque screen 500 is configured so that, when it is secured to the registration
phantom 100 and placed on the back of a patient 200, at least part of the X-rays which
pass from the X-ray source 410 to the plane detector 420 through the registration
phantom 100, see their intensity attenuated by passing through said assembly of at
least one radiopaque screen 500, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0048] Preferably, a radiopaque screen 500 is configured such that when it is assembled
with the registration phantom 100, any X-ray from the source 410 towards the detector
420 passing through any of the radiopaque markers 101 of the registration phantom
100, necessarily passes through a radiopaque screen 500 when the line passing through
the X-ray source 410 and the detector 420 is horizontal plus or minus 10 °, that is
to say when the thickness of the fat mass of the patient 200 crossed by the X-rays
is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0049] For brevity, the set of "at least one radiopaque screen 500" is referred to as the
"radiopaque screen 500".
[0050] The radiopaque screen 500 includes:
- a lower face 503,
- an internal face 505, or inner face, which in use is oriented towards the registration
phantom 100 and
- an external face 506, or outer face, which in use is oriented towards the X-ray source
410, respectively towards the detector 420.
- The radiopaque screen 500 may further include an upper face 505.
[0051] The radiopaque screen 500 may have the shape of a right-angled parallelepiped, or
a shape that fits into a right-angled parallelepiped, or when viewed in a transversal
plane, in the shape of a triangle or trapezoid shape, or even a horn shape.
[0052] In one embodiment, the radiopaque screen 500 has an inner face parallel to the outer
face. The shape of the internal face 505, respectively external, can be planar, as
illustrated in particular in FIG. 6, or curved as illustrated in FIG. 8, or alternatively
a broken line as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.
[0053] In one embodiment, the radiopaque screen 500 includes a base and a top. Provision
can be made for the base of the radiopaque screen 500 to have, in cross section in
the imaging plane, a dimension less than or equal to that of its top.
[0054] For example, the radiopaque screen 500 shows, in cross section in the imaging plane,
the shape of a horn with the tip bending towards the registration phantom 100 above
it, as shown in Figure 9.
[0055] In one embodiment, the radiopaque screen 500 has the shape of a dome, optionally
with a hole in its top, and disposed above the registration phantom 100, as illustrated
in FIG. 10. Preferably, the shape of a dome is symmetry of revolution, which facilitates
its positioning on the registration phantom 100 since in this case, its angular position
does not matter.
[0056] Preferably, the radiopaque screen 500 is integral with the registration phantom 100,
at least during the imaging phase. Preferably, the radiopaque screen 500 is removably
attached to the registration phantom 100. Thus, it is possible to use several different
radiopaque screens 500 for the same registration phantom 100.
[0057] In one embodiment, the radiopaque screens 500 can be attached in pairs in a removable
manner, as illustrated in FIG. 6. It is thus possible to obtain an assembly of thicker
radiopaque screens 500, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and / or higher, as illustrated
in FIG. 11, than one of the radiopaque screens 500 constituting the assembly taken
on its own, and to decrease the intensity of the X-rays passing through said assembly.
[0058] For example, at least one of the registration phantom 100 and a radiopaque screen
500 includes magnetic attachment means.
[0059] For example, the registration phantom 100 includes magnets and the radiopaque screen
500 includes ferromagnetic elements; or vice versa.
[0060] Preferably, when a radiopaque screen 500 comprises a set of at least one magnet,
provision is made either for the internal face 505 to be polarized north, respectively
south, and that the external face 506 is polarized south, respectively north; or that
the upper face 505 is polarized north, respectively south, and that the lower face
503 is polarized south, respectively north, so as to be able to join radio-opaque
screens 500 two by two.
[0061] The magnetic fixing means are advantageously chosen so that the magnetic force which
binds them is such that two radiopaque screens 500, or a radiopaque screen 500 and
the registration phantom 100, fixed to one another by said magnetic means. can be
separated from each other manually by an adult.
[0062] Mechanical fastening means can also be provided, for example in the form of a tenon
/ mortise, in particular of the Lego type (registered trademark) comprising a set
of projecting elements 501 configured to fit into corresponding recesses 102 of a
registration phantom 100, as illustrated in particular on the figure 5A and figure
5B, and/or configured to fit into corresponding recesses 502 of another radiopaque
screen 500.
[0063] In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, the lower face 503 of a first radiopaque
screen 500 and the upper face 505 of a second radiopaque screen 500 each have a respective
S-shaped or stair-shaped profile, such that the profile of one fits into the profile
of the other. It is thus possible to stack the first radiopaque screen 500 and the
second radiopaque screen 500, and increase the height of the resulting assembly.
[0064] Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 12, provision can be made for the internal face
505 of a first radiopaque screen 500 and the external face 506 of a second radiopaque
screen 500 each have a respective S-shaped or staircase profile, such that the profile
of one fits into the profile of the other. It is thus possible to join the first radiopaque
screen 500 and the second radiopaque screen 500, and increase the thickness of the
resulting assembly.
[0065] To decrease the intensity of the X-rays which pass through a radiopaque screen 500,
it can be provided that the density of radiopaque material that is comprised within
the radiopaque screen 500 is homogeneous but that the thickness of the radiopaque
screen 500 is variable. In this case, the thickness of a radiopaque screen 500 may
decrease from bottom to top along the vertical axis as the registration phantom 100
is positioned horizontally. For example, at least one of the inner face and the outer
face may be planar (vertical or inclined relative to the vertical), or curved, and
in particular elliptical.
[0066] It is also possible to provide that the density of radiopaque material comprised
is inhomogeneous and has at least one gradient, in this case a decreasing gradient
in the imaging plane, as illustrated in FIG. 7, that is to say according to the vertical
axis when the registration phantom 100 is positioned horizontally.
[0067] These embodiments can be combined: it can be provided that the thickness of the radiopaque
screen 500 is variable and that the density of radiopaque material that it comprises
is inhomogeneous.
[0068] The radiopaque screen 500 may have a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the imaging
plane, therefore a constant thickness in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.
[0069] In one embodiment, the registration phantom 100 extends along an elongation plane,
and the radiopaque screen 500 is perpendicular to the elongation plane, at least at
the junction therewith, which facilitates the assembly of the radiopaque screen 500
and the registration phantom 100.
[0070] In one embodiment, the radiopaque screen 500 is unique and has the shape of a dome,
optionally with a hole in its top, above the registration phantom 100, as illustrated
in FIG. 10, which represents a cross section of the dome in a plane parallel to the
imaging plane.
[0071] As all patients 200 do not have the same fat mass and it is necessary to adjust the
intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source 410, a plurality of radiopaque screens
500 can be provided, each of which being configured for an optimal range of use.
[0072] The optimum range of use is related to the energy of the X-ray source 410 and includes
at least one of the following values:
- A maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray
source 410;
- A minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray
source 410;
- A maximum value (mA_max) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
410;
- A minimum value (mA_min) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
410;
- A value (kV_min * mA_min) corresponding to a minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source 410, multiplied by a minimum
value (mA_min) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source 410;
- A value (kV_max * mA_max) corresponding to a maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source 410, multiplied by a maximum
value (mA_max) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source 410.
[0073] To illustrate this principle, a radiopaque screen 500 can be provided, the radiopaque
material of which are distributed homogeneously and having the shape of a rectangular
parallelepiped.
[0074] For instance, the radiopaque material comprises at least one amongst: gold, platinum;
tantalum, tungsten, Bismuth, Barium sulfate, graphene oxide, polymers comprising heavy
metal-containing monomers, or polymers comprising iodine/bromine-containing monomers.
Depending on the thickness of the rectangular parallelepiped and / or the density
of radiopaque material, said radiopaque screen 500 can more or less attenuate the
intensity of the X photons passing through it.
[0075] The attenuation capacity of a radiopaque screen 500 can be visually translated by
at least one of the following indications:
- an alphanumeric marking;
- a color; and
- a predetermined graphics.
[0076] For example, a predetermined color of a radiopaque screen 500, or of a graphic integral
with the latter, corresponds to a predetermined range of values [kV_min, kV_max];
[mA_min, mA_max]; [kV_min * mA_min, kV_max * mA_max] of the X-ray source 410.
Nomenclature
[0077]
100 Registration phantom
101 Radiopaque marker
102 Recess
200 Patient
300 Operating table
400 Semicircular arm of a tomographic imager
410 X-ray source
411 X-ray beam
420 plane X-ray detector
500 Radiopaque screen
501 Projecting element
502 Recess
503 Lower face
504 Upper face
505 Internal face
506 External face
1000 Radiopaque device
ROI Region of interest
1. Device (1000) for a cone-beam reconstruction technique X-ray imaging system, said
system comprising a cone emitting X-ray source (410) and a plane detector (420), the
X-ray source (410) and the plane detector (420) being integral with one another and
movable in rotation in a substantially vertical imaging plane around an axis of rotation
and passing through a volume of interest (ROI) of a patient (200) to be imaged,
the device (1000) comprising:
- a registration phantom (100) which comprises a set of at least 3 radiopaque markers
(101) arranged in a known three-dimensional configuration, and intended to be placed
at a predetermined distance from the volume of interest (ROI) to be imaged, and
- a set of at least one radiopaque screen (500), integral with the registration phantom
(100), and comprising a lower face (503), an internal face (505), oriented towards
the registration phantom (100) and an external face (506), opposed to the internal
face (505);
- the radiopaque device (1000) being configured so that, when it is placed on the
patient (200), at least part of the X-rays from the emitting cone which pass from
the X-ray source (410) to the plane detector (420) through the registration phantom
(100) see their intensity attenuated by passing through said assembly of at least
one radiopaque screen (500).
2. Device (1000) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of radiopaque screens (500),
said radiopaque screens (500) being able to be attached two by two in a removable
manner.
3. Device (1000) according to claim 2, comprising at least two radiopaque screens (500)
attached to one another in a removable manner, so that they meet at least one of the
following characteristics:
- the external face (506) of one radiopaque screen (500) is attached to the internal
face (505) of the other radiopaque screen (500);
- at least one radiopaque screen (500) further comprises an upper face (504), such
that the upper face (504) of said radiopaque screen (500) is attached to the lower
face (503) of the other radiopaque screen (500).
4. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiopaque
screen (500) of said assembly is removably attached to said registration phantom (100).
5. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising magnetic fixing
means, configured to removably fix at least two radiopaque screens (500) between them
and / or to removably fix at least one radiopaque screen (500) with said registration
phantom (100).
6. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the registration
phantom fits into a rectangular parallelepiped, and wherein the height of each radiopaque
screen (500) is greater than or equal to the height of the rectangular parallelepiped
in which the registration phantom (100) is inscribed.
7. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiopaque
screen (500) has in cross section, in the imaging plane (YOZ), a gradient of radiopaque
material.
8. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for at least one
radiopaque screen (500), at least a part of the internal face (505) is parallel to
at least a part of the external face (506).
9. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radiopaque
screen (500) has in cross section in a plane parallel to the imaging plane, a horn
shape whose tip folds over the phantom of registration when these are assembled.
10. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the registration
phantom (100) extends along an elongation plane, the assembly of at least one radiopaque
screen (500) being perpendicular to said elongation plane, at least at the junction
between said radiopaque screen (500) and the registration phantom (100).
11. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two sets of
at least one radiopaque screen (500), said sets being opposite and symmetrical with
respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the imaging plane passing through the
registration phantom.
12. Device (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a single radiopaque
screen (500) which has the shape of a dome, optionally with a hole in its top, above
the registration phantom (100).
13. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the set of at
least one radiopaque screen (500) is configured so that any X-ray coming from the
source (410) of X-rays towards the plane detector (420) passing through any of the
radiopaque markers (101) of the registration phantom (100) necessarily passes through
at least one radiopaque screen (500), either when the line passing through the X-ray
source (410) and the detector (420) is horizontal plus or minus 10 °, or when the
thickness of the fat mass of the patient (200) crossed by the X-rays is less than
or equal to a predetermined value.
14. Device (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one
radiopaque screen (500) is provided with at least one visual indication corresponding
to an optimum range of use of the X-ray source (410), said X-ray source (410) comprising
an anode and a cathode, the optimum range of use comprising at least one of the values
among:
- A maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the
X-ray source (410);
- A minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the
X-ray source (410);
- A maximum value (mA_max) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
(410);
- A minimum value (mA_min) of the intensity through the cathode of the X-ray source
(410);
- A value (kV_min * mA_min) corresponding to a minimum value (kV_min) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source (410), multiplied by a minimum
value (mA_min) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source (410);
- A value (kV_max * mA_max) corresponding to a maximum value (kV_max) of the voltage
between the anode and the cathode of the X-ray source (410), multiplied by a maximum
value (mA_max) of the intensity across the cathode of the X-ray source (410).
15. Device (1000) according to claim 14, wherein the visual indication comprises at least
one of the following indications:
- alphanumeric marking;
- a color;
- predetermined graphics.